The challenges of the past several months have been unprecedented; racism, unrest and violence layered in the context of a global pandemic. Many of the communities served by The Shield have been hit the hardest by COVID-19 and by oppression. The Shield stands in solidarity with those who advocate for equity within our nation. Black Lives Matter and when that is acknowledged and understood then all lives will truly matter.

After careful consideration, following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health (DOH), The Shield Institute has suspended all programs for children, students and adults as of March 16th 2020. We are keeping a clear line of communication with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DOE), and Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to monitor the situation

At 4 yrs. old, he's always making people laugh, and he can always tell when someone looks sad ...

Jonathan loves art, and color. Landscapes, animals, vehicles and fast foods. He draws everything by heart, and he has a huge heart to match.

When our Shield Board President, Beth Anisman, suggested a field trip this summer, we took her up on it and drove two hours north to the Dumbo-like hipster town of Hudson, NY.

Not spina bifida - or the abnormal spinal cord formation she was born with. Not triple surgery, after which she was up and walking two days later.